St. Cloud ceremony adds 84 new citizens

Hodan Mahad Adan looks at her Certificate of Naturalization following Wednesday's ceremony at the River's Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. Eighty-four people from 34 countries became citizens during the ceremony.
(Photo:
Dave Schwarz, dschwarz@stcloudtimes.com
)

Chanthalak Komany is a brand-new U.S. citizen and she couldn't be happier about it.

"It's really special and emotional to be here. It's not easy to be a U.S. citizen — I have been here nine years. It's exciting because I've reached my goal," she said.

The Laos native was one of 84 people who took the oath to become U.S. citizens during a naturalization ceremony Wednesday at River's Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. The new citizens come from 34 nations.

The ceremony marked the end of years of uncertainty for many of the people involved, said Judge Patrick J. Schiltz, who officiated the ceremony.

"It's joyous on the one hand and there's also a little bit of a sense of relief because many of the people have literally waited for years and years and years to become American citizens," Schiltz said. "For some of them, they don't count on it happening until it actually happens. There's a little bit of a sigh of relief that says 'finally, after all these years.' "

Some of the new citizens were already talking about the future.

"The next step is to help build this country," Komany said. "This is my cause because I'm a U.S. citizen now."

She added: "I didn't ever think I would be standing here. It's a big opportunity for me ... there's a lot of opportunity here."

Hard road

U. S. Citizenship and Immigration Services receives and adjudicates about six million petitions and applications for citizenship annually.

Only a fraction of that number become new citizens. In 2013, 779,929 people were naturalized, according to the USCIS. Most were from Mexico (99,385), India (49,897) and the Philippines (43,489).

Somalia was the most represented country at the St. Cloud ceremony Wednesday, with 29 of its people choosing to become Americans. The next closest country was Kenya, with eight people.

The ceremony included messages from President Barack Obama and U.S. Rep. Michele Bachmann.

Ceremonies like the one held in St. Cloud hold a special meaning for Schiltz, who estimated he's officiated about 25 of the events.

"It's particularly meaningful for me because I am the grandchild of immigrants. All my grandparents are from different countries," he said.

"Whenever I do this I think of them 100 years ago in a similar room raising their hands and being similarly sworn in. It's a real thrill."

Family was a common thread throughout the day, and many of the people gathered were happy to share such a special moment as hundreds of loved ones looked on.

Flanked by his 12-year-old son Tarik and his in-laws, Ahmed Alduri, from Iraq, couldn't help but smile at the thought of finally becoming a U.S. citizen.

"It was exciting. It was a rush," he said. "It was a hard journey, but it was well worth it. There were a lot of sacrifices made."

The group supporting Alduri on Wednesday matched that enthusiasm.

"It's very exciting because I know what he's been through," Alduri's father in-law Todd Martin said. "He finally crossed the finish line. I admire his strength."

The combination of pride, admiration and patriotism is what makes even just watching the ceremony feel so special, Schiltz said. Plus, there's a bonus.

"This is my favorite thing to do as judge," he said. "It's the one time I walk in to a room and when I leave everyone is happy."

Nations of origin represented at Wednesday's citizenship ceremony:

Bangladesh / Bolivia / Brazil / Burma / Canada

China / Denmark / Djibouti / Dominican Republic / Germany

Ghana / India / Indonesia / Iraq / Jamaica / Kenya

Laos / Liberia / Mali / Mexico / Nigeria / Peru

Philippines / Romania / Russia / Somalia / South Sudan

Sudan / Syria / Taiwan / Thailand / United Kingdom

Yemen / Yugoslavia

Follow Ben Katzner on Twitter @BigKat0.

Hodan Mahad Adan looks at her Certificate of Naturalization following Wednesday's ceremony at the River's Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. 84 people from 34 countries became citizens during the ceremony. (Photo: Dave Schwarz, dschwarz@stcloudti)

Greg Whiting, left, and Paul Theisen of the Sons of the American Revolution pose with a new citizen and her family following Wednesday's naturalization ceremony at the River's Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. (Photo: Dave Schwarz, dschwarz@stcloudtimes.com)

Rayan Reid holds his son Ethan following Wednesday's naturalization ceremony at the River's Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. Reid is originally from Jamaica. (Photo: Dave Schwarz, dschwarz@stcloudtimes.com)

Hlaing Khaing poses for a photograph with Greg Whiting, left, and Paul Theisen of the Sons of the American Revolution following Wednesday's naturalization ceremony at the River's Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. (Photo: Dave Schwarz, dschwarz@stcloudti)

New citizen Teena Dietz poses with her family and judge Patrick Schiltz following Wednesday's naturalization ceremony at the River's Edge Convention Center in St. Cloud. (Photo: Dave Schwarz, dschwarz@stcloudti)